As a citizen of Canada and…

As a citizen of Canada and permanent resident of Ontario, I am opposed to the Special Economic Zones Act, 2025.

I am specifically concerned about the “vetting” process that may occur in a special economic zone. What are the criteria for determining a reliable proponent and how are we defining “high standards” for operation, safety and the environment? I’m very skeptical of how a regulator can assess environmental compliance when there will no longer be a need for adherence to some environmental or natural resource regulation/legislation.

As a taxpayer wanting regulatory efficiencies, I think it makes sense to streamline permitting and approvals, but I think with our current framework, we are limited to streamlining provincial and federal scopes. And even then, does the provincial government understand the processes and procedures associated with federal permits and approvals, and vice versa?

In general, the proposed Special Economic Zones Act, 2025 seems to focus narrowly on the current situation and only the present. I am worried that a faster pace for selected projects leaves a larger margin for error and that the errors will inevitably be at the cost of the environment as well as First Nation and Métis communities. If Ontario is not willing to uphold our country’s endorsement to the United Nations’ Declaration of Right of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), there will likely be repercussions.